The Location
A direct flight from Gatwick to Malé is just 10 hours. One seaplane later and you’re smack dab in the Indian Ocean. We could get used to waking up like this.
The Facts
Make it through customs and head straight to the back of the airport where there are no doors, just seaplanes waiting to take people to their island of choice. If you’re not familiar with how the Maldives work, you choose where you want to stay via resort rather than island, as each resort is on its own island. And once you’re on the island, there’s really no getting off! But that’s the beauty of it here. No. Disturbances. Conrad Maldives is set over two islands.
The Vibe
So…you’d think there’d be largely honeymooners. There are honeymooners. But there are also surfers (this is a huge surf spot), families, and more surprisingly, groups of friends.
The Accommodation
At Conrad Madlives there are two options. Beach and sea. We tried them both.
The Water Villas, Sea
You’ve seen it in magazines, and it really is that good: think a five star thatched ‘hut’ over the water, with all the modern cons, a sea-facing Jacuzzi, and direct ocean access. If you had to choose between the two, we’d say this is it. With wooden gangplanks connecting the suites in a maze-like web along the water, this is one private abode. But need anything, and the staff are a quick call away – golf carts arrive at your service. From beach bags to raincoats and iPhone chargers, they’ve thought of it all here.
The Beach Villas, Beach
We didn’t want to move to the beach. But when you move into your room – which is more like a mid-sized house, complete with a courtyard with fountain, outdoor shower, sunken Roman bath built for four (no joke), and a large sunlit vanity area – you realise things aren’t too bad. The highlight was really the tub. Although we felt slightly guilty filling it up for one, we got over it. Candles, music, salts and pinot with a touch of sea breeze became our nightly ritual. There was also a tsunami kit with phone, torch and details – better the devil you know, we say.
The Spa
There’s an open washroom here! As in, it has no fourth wall on it, you are over the sea. That’s a first. Liberating and slightly terrifying. The massages were first rate as expected, and there are several wellbeing experts here, so if you’ve always wanted to try Reiki or need a nutrition consultation to get you back on track, they’ve got you covered. UJ says a health and fitness retreat here would be inspired. The Spa Water Villas have their own treatment rooms, and the Over Water Spa does what it says: spa tables over a glass floor, with views of the resort’s coral reef.
The Restaurants
Restaurants are what Conrad Maldives specialises in. With over 12, if you’re in the mood for a particular type of cuisine, chances are, they’re able to oblige. And unlike most resorts, yes, there are breakfast buffets (champagne! sushi! fresh juice!), but these are largely small restaurants, with top tier cuisine in unique settings.
Restaurant Highlights
Highlights include Ithaa, the underwater restaurant (the only one in the world, at that) with only seven tables: yes, it sounds a bit cheesy in a SeaWorld way, but when you’re in there and sharks and manta rays, eels and schools of iridescent fish are swimming over your head, it’s just special. UJ loved the sunken Japanese restaurant Koko Grill (open air, nine courses, 12 seats), the spa’s restaurant Mandhoo, with healthy organic/biodynamic fare and oceanfront dining, Ufaa, the Chinese restaurant by celebrated chef Jereme Leung, and our top pick was definitely the Wine Cellar. Set in an intimate cellar, UJ embarked on a memorable evening with a handful of other guests that included pairings, wine-u-cation supported by pop up iPads at each seat, blind tastings (we did well!), and gourmet dishes to accompany. If you could buy your parents a milestone anniversary/birthday present, this would be it. Next time we’d also love to try the lobster on the beach – I mean you would, wouldn’t you?
Activities
We’ve always been scared of the deep sea. BIG TINGS DOWN THERE. This time, we were still scared, but when we looked over and saw a group from Japan with life vests on eagerly jump in, we thought, if they can’t swim and they can do it, so can we. What a day. After we got used to either being right above the coral (eels in there!), or right over the edge (huge drops), we began breathing okay. Which helps when you have a snorkel on. We saw turtles. And a seriously big, six-foot+ shark. It happened too fast to be scared – glad we saw it, glad we snorkelled, glad to get out. This is a paradise for snorkeling and diving, of course, and even if you don’t want to take a boat out, there are reefs just footsteps from your bed. If you do want to snorkel, make sure you get a GoPro at duty free. These are definitely snappable moments.
Other Activities
Not so down with the sea? There’s yoga and tennis, two pools and dolphin boat trips. You will not be bored.
When to Go
It’s Ithaa’s 10th birthday. That’s 10 years since the sunken restaurant was born. From April 7-14 there will be a host of special F&B events in the restaurant. But really, anytime is a good time to go to Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. We repeat, 10 hours and a 30-minute seaplane until tranquil bliss.
